Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Dining Al Fresco

Al Fresco Dining, collage/acrylic, 9 x 11, Elizabeth W. Seaver
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Not that we've had good weather for outdoor seating the last few days...chilly and wet.  But we have needed the rain.  Speaking of ducks and geese...

There is a man made water feature in the local shopping mecca (the big box store one) and when they get bored with eating at home, many large water fowl venture forth to sample the fare at the near by restaurants.  Never mind that they must cross an insanely busy street to get to some of them.  (Think Make Way for Ducklings.)  They waddle over, bringing a party of five or more, and lurk about ready to snap up the leavings of the human diners.  It's a little unnerving, really.  And the sparrows put up a fuss and complain that THEY arrived first and had reservations!

This gentleman only wanted dessert. 

Well, would YOU tell him he must order dinner first?

43 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

You always create such wonderful paintings. The story behind it ties in well and resonates with me, as I've had lots of waterfowl of various kinds turning up for hand outs.

Beautiful colours, I like this a lot.

Unknown said...

I think I'd let him have whatever he wants! Great work!

Anna M. Branner said...

Elizabeth you crack me up! ;)

Kim Rempel said...

Really like the gesture in this one. Beautiful dark line down the neck and tempting cupcake ; )

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks, Jeanette! I thought maybe it was just me that attracted the strange fowl! I appreciate your visit to my blog.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Kathy! Yes, it is hard to look in those sweet eyes and deny him his cupcake! Thanks for your comment.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Anna! I have no idea where the stories come from...a little scary, right?

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Kim. Thanks for the nice critique and for stopping by to visit.

Linda Popple said...

Love your story with this painting! And I love the painting! Very nice!!

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Love this guy Elizabeth! Reminds me of our trip to San Diego...we had all manner of birds eating at the nearby tables! HA.

Unknown said...

love your backgrounds

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Linda. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you stopped by.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Saundra! They have no fear of us humans, right?

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Lilasvb--I think the collage adds so much to the painting. I'm glad you like them.

Michelle said...

You're funny! Dessert for dinner is ok in my book. Very nice collage/painting.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Michelle. I subscribe to the tenet that life is short, eat dessert first! Thanks!

-Don said...

You paint a story as nicely with words as you do with mixed media. I laughed out loud with both. Thanks for that. Great work!

-Don

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, thanks, Cathyann! I'm glad you came by. See you on Friday!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks for your kind remarks, Don. I am glad you visit my blog!

Brad Gailey said...

My rule is 'Eat dessert first,' in case you fill up and can't eat the meal and dessert too.

Brad

Gwen Bell said...

The layering of prints in this is just great! Love the subtle patterns it created. I think it is so cool the way you've connected the ostrich with the cupcake again. The beginning of a delightful new series?

martinealison said...

Très joli thème... Très original et excellent travail...
Je ne sais si comme cet animal je pourrais rester insensible à ce gâteau me paraissant délicieux!
Best regards.

Becky Joy said...

so creative. The colors are wonderful.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Brad. The old I get, the more I subscribe to that same tenet! My son had a more ingenious idea. He always said he had room in his dessert stomach, but not in his dinner one!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Gwen. I do think that birds and confections will probably end up together again in the future! Thanks for such a nice comment!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Martinealison: I'm glad you respond so favorably to my silly birds. I do love to paint them in all manner of unusual settings! Thanks for your visit to my blog.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Becky Joy! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such encouraging words.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Elizabeth!

This is another great one! I love the whimsy and it makes me smile. Your post reminded me of the pair of Mallards that visit our cul-de-sac...they were there as we left this morning.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Kathleen:

I'm loving hearing everyone's bird stories because of this! Thanks for your kind words!

Susan said...

Hey Elizabeth! Thanks so much for your visit...Wow another wonderful duckie, I'd let him have whatever he wanted to!

Your work is so full of fun and color along with your great story, terrific!

We have lots of ponds nearby, but nothing close to commercial bldgs. We do get tons of wild turkeys in our yard though - the toms are out looking for some action, so there's lots of 'gobbling' all day!

Enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Dennis said...

Very nice work Elizabeth...so bold and full of colors...ty for visiting my house ...I'll be back.

Linda G said...

Very engaging painting and such a cute story. Don't know which I like best.

Harnett-Hargrove said...

just traveled down your page. Lovely work, wonderful color! -J

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Oh, Susan, I love to see wild turkeys--how cool you live where you get to see and hear them!

Thanks for such positive comments. I appreciate your visit!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Denny: Thanks for visiting me, too, and for becoming a follower.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Linda G! Thanks, my dear, for your nice remarks. Hope to see you tomorrow night!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks for visiting Harnett-Hargrove!

Barbara Muir said...

Do love this. It's so funny how superior we think we are, when pigeons have been discovered to collaborate to get water from a drinking fountain. One holding the lever down, while another drinks.

Super painting.

Take care,

Barbara

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Barbara: I never heard that bit about how smart animals are, but I am not surprised. Interesting. Thanks for your visit and your comment.

Artist said...

love it! just the lines, the unmbrella and neck..... ah so good!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Artist! Thanks so much for your kind words about Al Fresco and thanks for your visit!

Celeste Bergin said...

yes--he has so much charm he can get away with anything--if he wants a cupcake I'd give it to him! (this painting makes me smile!)

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hah, Celeste! You must be an easy touch! I'm glad you like him.